The German controllers at Frankfurt Airport
were often short-tempered. They not only expected you to know your
parking location but how to get there without any assistance from
them. So
it was with some amusement that we (PanAm 747) listened to
the following
exchange between Frankfurt ground and a British Airways
747 (radio call
Speedbird 206) after landing.
Speedbird 206:
„Good morning Frankfurt, Speedbird 206 clear of the
active.“
Ground: „Guten morgan, taxi to your gate.“
The British Airways 747
pulls onto the main taxiway and stops.
Ground: „Speedbird, do you not
know where you are going?“
Speedbird 206: „Stand by, ground, I’m
looking up the gate location
now.“
Ground (with typical German
impatience): „Speedbird 206, have you
never flown to Frankfurt
before?“
Speedbird 206 (coolly): „Yes, in 1944. But I didn’t stop.“
